NCJ Number
161663
Date Published
1995
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the prevalence of AIDS among women in the Federal Republic of Germany, how the German health system has responded to it, and AIDS prevention efforts in the areas of drug addiction and prostitution.
Abstract
In Germany, laboratories must make an anonymous report on all HIV and AIDS cases to the authorities. The data are then evaluated by the AIDS Center, a department of the Health Ministry. The number of AIDS cases and reported positive HIV tests are presented as cumulative information and contain all known cases of AIDS and HIV infection since 1982. Between 1982 and December 31, 1992, AIDS was diagnosed in 810 women compared to 8,395 men. The proportion of females with AIDS has increased continuously in recent years. The highest risk of HIV infection for women is intravenous drug use. A total of 25.3 percent of women with AIDS (n=205) contracted the illness through heterosexual intercourse. Traditional medical care systems do not respond appropriately to the social and psychological needs of women affected by HIV and AIDS. Therapies for drug-addicted women in the medical and gynecological areas should be improved and standardized. The possibility of drug substitution or a step-by- step detoxification should be offered beyond the period of pregnancy. This paper also describes and assesses the Federal pilot program entitled, "Women and AIDS." Besides surveying the process of the epidemic, one of the central tasks of the program was to develop and implement gender-specific approaches in the fields of prevention, counseling, and care for women threatened and affected by HIV and AIDS.